No consensus on agenda for Feb 25 Indo-Pak talks as yet
New Delhi:Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna has categorically said
terrorism will remain at the core of discussions, but added that Pakistan is free
to take up any issue that it is concerned about. Islamabad, however, is seeking
more clarity on Krishna's statement and is calling for the inclusion of the Kashmir
and the water disputes in the talks. Government sources here, however, have
explained
that the talks cannot be described as a `monologue'. India's focus will remain
on terrorism and Pakistan will raise issues of its concern, they said. Sources
have told ANI that India is also likely to handover evidence of previous terror
attacks allegedly emanating from Pakistani soil, including the recent attack on
the German Bakery in Pune. Krishna's statement that next week's talks should not
be seen as a resumption of the composite dialogue, has concerned Islamabad.
Diplomatic sources said that Pakistan is viewing the resumption of talks as
the first step to resumption of composite dialogue. Government sources here explain
that the composite dialogue will not be just confined to foreign secretary-level
talks, but will be and can be pursued at different levels. The composite dialogue
process began shortly after the Islamabad SAARC (South Asian Association for
Regional
Cooperation) summit in 2004. It comprised of eight key components, including
Jammu
and Kashmir, confidence-building measures, defence, trade and water that have
plagued bilateral relations for decades. Experts and commentators here believe
that if no framework of dialogue is composed before the talks, it will be difficult
to achieve anything. Others are viewing it as a good start to end the logjam in
the stalled relationship.
